Code of Being

• Track Listing

The charismatic saxophonist and composer James Brandon

Lewis is the musician of the moment in the broad field of contemporary

jazz. With Code of Being, James Brandon Lewis

now presents his second album. The debut CD Molecular,

which Lewis recorded with his quartet in 2020 just a few

months before Lockdown, was roundly acclaimed as one of the

most exciting releases in 2020 (Intakt CD 350).

Code of Being is a powerful work consisting of eight compositions

by James Brandon Lewis. Beautiful melodies are responsible

for the magic of the songs. The four exceptional musicians,

each with personalities of their own, create an urgent ensem ble

sound, moving through a broad palette of sound-colours, rhythms

and moods, charged with energy. With a profound sense

for lyrical melodies, tonal concision and dynamics, the quartet

develop a spirited interplay, reacting to the tiniest atmospheric

oscillations on the sound and groove level. "This is captivating

music which it is hard to resist, especially the melodies with

their thematic beauty.," writes Florian Keller in the liner notes.